Page 23 of Always There Bayou
“Fuck no!” I exclaimed, and Simone immediately grabbed my arm to pull me away from the crowd. I was heated, so I shook her off. “That bitch cheated on me, and I stayed with her like a dumb ass. I was tired of her shit, so I kicked her to the curb. I have never cheated on anyone in my life.”
“Damn, no wonder you and Simone are friends,” I heard someone say. “How y’all both get cheated on and don’t know. I kinda feel sorry for y’all.”
“Man, you know what you can do?”
Before I can continue, Simone yanks me by the arm, pulls me into the elevator, and pushes the button to our level. I let out a frustrated scream as I kicked the wall. She doesn’t say anything but quietly guides me to her car once the doors open again. I remain quiet as she backs up and drives towards the exit. Thankfully, thecrowd hadn’t made it to this side of the parking garage, and we were able to make it out unbothered.
We cruise down the street in silence, and it’s deafening, so I turn on the radio. A Christmas song was playing, and I let the melody wash over me. I may not be the most festive person in the world, but I was fine with Christmas. I mean, I didn’t go all out like most people, but I always looked forward to this time of year because it meant that I’d get to spend time with my family up at our cabin in Colorado. I was ready to relax, and I couldn’t wait to wake up to a white Christmas.
“So…you kind of lost your temper back there,” Simone says, cutting through the best part of the song. I wasn’t in the mood for one of her lectures, but I had a feeling that I was gonna get one anyway. So, I turned the music down and waited. “Look, I know how you feel about having your space invaded and then being bombarded with questions, but you should’ve just ignored them.”
“Yeah, I know,” I sigh. “It’s just that I can’t stand how they’re trying to spin this story like I was the unfaithful one. Then to drag Denny into it? To dragyouinto it? I couldn’t control my reaction.”
“Yeah, I get that,” she sighs with a nod. “You know I’ve had my moments when I had to be held back by you and Harley.” We share a laugh as I nod. “Hey, I just want you to know that you did nothing wrong, Cory. So, don’t let what some chronically online bitches say get to you. Christie has probably been trying to talk dirty about you, but don’t let her get to you either. I blocked that hoe months ago, right along with Meila, and I suggest you do the same for your peace of mind.”
“Yeah, she’s been blocked for a while now,” I assure her. “The last thing I want is for her to pop up on my home feed on some bull. I’m trying to be better.”
“Speaking of which, when’s the last time you went to therapy?”
I scratch my head, but don’t immediately say anything because it has been years. I knew that I needed to go back sooner or later, mainly because of what’s been going on these last few months, but I was hesitant. I’ve never liked therapy, but I knew that it could work if I just put in the effort instead of trying to hide everything, even from the therapist. But was I ready to become an open book?
“Truthfully, it’s been a while, but I want to start back,” I admit. “I know it’ll help, but I’m just not ready for that yet, you know?”
“No, I get it,” she nods as we make it to my apartment. “You have to be willing to do the work, and I’m rooting for you, Cory. I’ll always be in your corner, so whenever you’re ready, just let me know, and I’ll hook you up with the contact for my therapist’s office. She’s the best. And if you don’t want to see the same one as me, I’m sure she can recommend you to someone who's just as helpful.”
“Thanks, bro,” I say, dapping her up before climbing out of the car. “Also, thanks for getting me out of the house. I appreciate it.”
“Anytime,” she nods. “Now, I’m going to kiss up on my girlfriend. I hope everything works out with you and Den.”
I waved bye to her before entering the building. As I make it to the elevator, my phone vibrates, and I pull it out of my pocket to see that I’d been tagged in a post on IG. I know I shouldn’t open it, but my curiosity got the better of me, and soon I was staring back ata video of me on some account. It was the whole interaction from earlier with the caption:
Seems like we struck a nerve! Shooting Guard Cory Tate yells at fans after being asked about her relationship with IG personality Christie Johnson. She claimed that Christie was the one who cheated and that she put her out after months of back and forth. What do y’all think? ??
I roll my eyes and take a deep breath, blocking the page and turning off the option to be tagged by people I don’t follow. When that’s done, I log out of the app. I didn’t have time for this shit, and I was not about to entertain all the nosy ass people in the comments. I learned years ago not to give energy to people online who didn’t know me in real life. It wasn’t worth it.
My mind drifts over to Denny, and suddenly I feel somber. I missed them, and I knew that being wrapped up in their embrace would make me feel better. So, before I gave myself a chance to chicken out, I pulled up theWhere’s My Friends?app to check Denny’s location. I was surprised to see that they were at the shop. Usually, they closed the shop down the weekend before Christmas and stayed closed until after New Year’s so they could celebrate with their family.
I head back out to my car, and after buckling up, I travel towards the shop. Even though there was a bit of traffic thanks to the Christmas tree lighting celebration downtown, I was able to make it to the shop in under 20 minutes. When I pull up to the familiar building, a wave of memories hits me at once.
I’d spent so much time here over the years, thanks to Denny’s love for giving me tattoos. I was essentially their test palette when they wanted to try out new designs. My arms were filled with random doodles and things that meant a lot to both of us. I even had a few on my legs.
Like the little bear on the back of my left calf, or the buttons on my ankles.
I even had a few small stitch tattoos on my back over the now-healed scars.
Yeah, these tattoos told our story, and I cherished every one of them.
As soon as I walk through the door, I do a double-take when I lay eyes on Denny. They were smiling widely as they openly flirted with a beautiful woman. The woman was touching all over their slightly muscular arms, and Denny had their hands on her hips as they whispered something to her. The woman giggled, and instantly, I felt that little green monster trying to hop up on my shoulder. It took everything in me not to go over there and break up their little flirting session.
“Look at you, fuming from the ears like some kinda cartoon character,” I hear Delilah say from a few feet away. I turn to see her leaning over the front counter, watching me in amusement. “God, you can’t even hide how jealous you are right now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this.”
“Not now, Lilah,” I mumbled, stuffing my hands in my pockets as I continued to watch the scene unfold before me.
“You gon go break them up, or…?”
I don’t answer her, but as soon as I see the woman lean in for a kiss, my legs move on their own. Everything happened so fast, and the moment I tuned back in, Denny and I were in their office, and they were sitting on the edge of the desk while I stood in front of them.
It was now or never, Cory.
